Course Content
The MSc has been designed to offer flexibility, with attended or distance learning study available and a range of possible awards from a full MSc to a single module. Modules studied:
Sustainable Development – covers the key concepts of sustainable development and sustainability. This module discusses social, ecological and economic sustainability concepts and encourages you to develop a critical appreciation of the sustainable development debate
Sustainable Buildings – introduces you to the main aspects of sustainability in regards to the built environment, exploring the environmental, economic and social/cultural issues that need to be considered for achieving successful building design and operation
Sustainable Energy – provides a systematic understanding of the global energy system and energy sources. The module examines the physical principles and application of current technologies and their environmental impacts, and how these interact in energy systems
Building Physics – provides you with a thorough understanding of the physical processes that govern how buildings respond to the external environment. This module examines the thermal properties of buildings, how daylight and natural ventilation interact with buildings and how this affects the quality of the indoor environment
Building Performance Modelling – enables you to understand why and how building simulation can be used to analyse building thermal, daylight and ventilation performance. This module will enable you to make appropriate selections of simulation methods, analyse results and give coherent recommendations
Energy Analysis Techniques – This very practical module will equip you with the skills to analyse energy data from buildings and industrial processes, and to carry out energy audits and surveys to identify energy and greenhouse gas saving opportunities. Issues such as heating, lighting, ventilation and general energy use are considered, and crucially, ways to bring about energy savings and how to make energy saving recommendations, sometimes as much as 20% with zero (or very low) investment. The case studies we use are mainly for non domestic buildings but all of the techniques can also be applied to dwellings.
The module includes the theory behind energy analysis, and we carry out practical building surveys, and data analysis in lab sessions, the assessment being to prepare a report similar to one you would produce as a professional energy efficiency consultant.
Study Skills and Research Methods – provides the skills necessary to successfully complete a research project of a high standard, introducing you to a range of research methodologies and practices relevant to the successful completion of the MSc
Dissertation – you will complete the MSc by undertaking a building-related dissertation on a topic of your choice, supervised by an experienced member of the research staff
Optional modules:
Choose one from two (three distance learning) optional modules
Leading Change for Sustainability - aims to equip students with theoretical knowledge and practical skills to enable them to play an effective leadership role in promoting sustainability and pro-environmental behaviour change. The module focuses upon understanding and influencing human behaviour, drawing upon a range of theoretical frameworks and contemporary case studies on topics including energy, climate change, transport and waste. There is a highly participatory teaching and learning approach and a chance for students to develop as reflective practioners by implementing and learning from real-life behaviour change interventions.
Low-Impact Manufacturing – introduces the concept of an industrial system, linking different types of industry, including raw material processing, manufacturing and waste processing, that combine to satisfy consumer demand. It explains the ways in which energy and resource use can be identified at each stage of a product life-cycle
Engineering Business Environment – enables you to understand and reflect upon the role of business in a rapidly changing, globalised world. As well as considering the changing environment in which businesses operate, time is spent exploring the steps a business can take to respond to the environmental challenges ahead. (This module is available in distance learning mode only)
